BY THE AUTHORDr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.
Philadelphia College of Bible
1970

Edited by Dr. Clarence E. Mason,
Jr.

SECTION X
THE THOUSAND YEAR KINGDOM REIGN OF CHRIST ON EARTH

IMPORTANT DISTINCTIONS
CONCERNING THE KINGDOM

We should not confuse the
past and present aspects of Kingdom truth with a future kingdom that is
to be established on the earth at the coming of Christ.

The past aspect.
When Christ was here upon earth, the kingdom was "within (that is, among')
you, " or "in your midst" (Lk. 17:21), i.e., by virtue of our Lord's
personal presence; the King with His available kingdom was in their midst,
calling upon them to repent so that they would qualify for its entrance
(Mt. 5:20; 3:7-8).

The present aspect during
this age.

Individual believers are
members of His kingdom ("mystery" form) (spiritual), Col. 1:13.

During this age the
Kingdom comes not by observation or outward show.

During this age the
Kingdom nation (Israel) is scattered and the land desolate until the
Times of the Gentiles be fulfilled, Mt. 23:37-39; Lk. 21:20-24.

The world is pictured as
being under the reign of the Man of Sin when Christ returns, 2 Thes. 2:8;
Rev. 19. In 2 Thes. 2, the Man of Sin is represented as being at the
height of power at the return of Christ, and in Rev. 19, it is Christ in
His second advent who destroys the Beast and the False Prophet. He is also
represented as destroying the armies of unrighteous nations who are
gathered against Him at His coming.

Christ is said to return
immediately after the Great Tribulation, Mt. 25:21-22, 29-30; Lk.
21:25-31. This does not permit a millennium between the close of the Great
Tribulation and the return of Christ, or at any other time between the two
advents. The second advent precipitates, makes possible, and brings in the
millennium.

The tares and the wheat
grow together until the harvest which is the end of the age, Mt. 13:36-40.

Tribulation believers are
to be raised from death before the millennium, Rev. 20:4,6. This requires
the return of Christ, Dan. 12:1-3;
Rev. 19:llff. Also, the saints of Old Testament ages, as well as the
Church, must have been raised prior to the millennium. For the order or
stages of the first resurrection, see Section IX, E, pp.167-168.

The course of this age
makes the return of Christ premillennial. (1) The teaching of Christ, Mt.
24; Lk. 21.
The mystery of iniquity in 2 Thes. 2 that was at work in Paul's day is to
continue until the time of the Anti-Christ and until the return of Christ.

1 and 2 Timothy picture apostate Christendom at the end of the age.
Throughout this age believers are represented as being persecuted.

The entire age is said to
be in the power of Satan, 1 Jn. 5:19. The unregenerate are pictured as
being in the lap of the Wicked One (lit., "lieth [in the arms of] the
Wicked One").

We are never told to look
for the millennium, but we are constantly exhorted to look for the Lord's
return for His saints.

The Kingdom Age will last
1000 years, during which time Satan will be bound, Rev. 20:1-3.
According to w.4 and 5, the millennium will open with the first resurrection
and close with Satan's last revolt (Rev. 20:7-10) and the resurrection of
unbelieving dead and the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11 15).

The contrast between the
millennial city of Jerusalem and the heavenly city (New Jerusalem) is as
follows:

Millennial City (on earth)

Heavenly Jerusalem

On the earth, Ezk. 40:2

In heaven, between heaven and
earth, Rev. 21:2, 10, 23-26

An earthly temple, Ezk. 40-42

God tabernacles among men --
no need of a temple, Rev. 21:3, 22

Temple worship includes
sacrifices, Ezk. 43-46

Things of the former earth
are passed away. Therefore, there is no memorial of redemption in the
form of sacrifice

The divisions of the land.
The earthly city is not 4-square. It might be referred to as the
intermediate city between the city that shall fall to invaders, Zech.
14:1-2, and the new city that shall come down from heaven, Rev. 21:10

No mention is made of land or
division, but there is mention of 12 foundations, thus making the city
4-square. Rev. 21:9-21. It continues through the millennium and becomes
the eternal city, Rev. 21:1; 22.5

There will be need of sun,
moon, and stars

There will be no need of sun,
moon, or stars. There will be a new light, Rev. 21:23.27 ("lamp")

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
MILLENNIAL AGE

There is to be the
manifestation of Christ in all the earth.

He will be manifested as
man at Jerusalem where He was crucified.
The place of His humiliation will be the place of His exaltation.
Acts 1:11;
Zech. 8:3; 11:10; 12:10-12; 13:1-6; 14:1-8;
Ezk. 43:7; 48:35;
Joel 3:21;
Zeph. 3:15.

He will be manifested as
the son of Abraham, the inheritor of the land of Palestine. He is the Seed
concerning whom the promise was made to Abraham,
Gen. 17:8;
Mt. 1:1;
Gal. 3:16.

He will be manifested as
the son of David. He is the heir to the throne,
Mt. 1:1;
Lk.1:32-33
Rev. 3:21.

He will be manifested as
the son of man. He will execute judgment,
Jn. 5:27.

He will be manifested as a
King.

He will be King of
Righteousness,
Isa. 32:1.

He will be King of Peace,
Isa. 2:4.

He will be King of
Israel,
Jn. 12:13.

He will be King of Kings,
Rev. 19:16.

He will be King of all
the earth, Zech. 14:9; Phil. 2:10.

He will be manifested as
the mighty God, or God the Son,
Isa. 9:6;
Ps. 134:3; Heb. 1:8-10
The Lord who will then be in Zion will be the Lord Jesus Christ.

He will be manifested as
the supreme Teacher of all the earth,
Isa. 2:3;
Zech. 8:22.

There is to be blessing
and glory for Israel.

Israel and Judah are to be
restored to the land and reunited under their King, Ezk. 37:15-28; 36:34;
28:25-27; Hosea 1:11; Amos 9:1,15; Jer. 31:10.

The temple will be rebuilt
in splendor, Ezk. 40-48.
Read also Arno C. Gaebelein and James M. Gray on this point. Clarence
Larkin's view is very interesting and should be read carefully with his
chart plotting the millennial temple of Ezk. 40ff. Also see Great
Neglected Bible Prophecies by Merrill F. Unger.

Period of righteousness
on earth.
Immediate justice and immediate punishment for sin, Isa. 11:3-5.

Economic prosperity and
tranquility, Ps. 72:7; 16.

All know God, Isa. 11:9.

Probably majority
throughout millennium will be saved, though some will rebel. (See C,
below.)

CLOSING EVENTS OF THE PERIOD
(cp. D, pp.166-167)

Loosing of Satan and the
last revolt at the end of the Millennium, Rev. 20:3,7,9. This will
expose all who have never received a new heart, who have only followed
Christ outwardly. The revolt is not to be confused with the prophecy of Ezk.
38-39, which concerns the invasion of the King of the North in the
tribulation period, before the Millennium. The only similarity between these
two is the phrase "Gog and Magog, " names which cite only the place of the
origin of the assault against Israel, both before and at the close of the
Millennium. Also, in both cases they attack Jerusalem.

The doom of Satan.
He is consigned to the Lake of Fire forever. Rev. 20:10; Ezk. 28:11-18; Isa.
14:12-17.

Cairn University
200 Manor Avenue
Langhorne, PA 19047
United States of America

"Mason's
Notes" Study materials on this website are made available
here free, through the generosity of Cairn University,
and may be copied for use in Bible study groups, in limited numbers, providing
that no charge is made for them. No further distribution or use
of these materials is allowable under U.S. or International Copyright
Law without the express permission of Cairn University.